The Magic of Reading and Listening

“Mom, I think I’m finally ready to read Harry Potter now.” My ten-year-old daughter surprised me with these words a couple of months ago. I thought she was punking me. I have been anxiously awaiting the day I could start reading one of my favorite book series with her. For the past couple of years she has been reluctant; saying such ridiculous things as “I don’t think I’ll like it” or “I don’t think it’s going to be for me.” So when the day finally came when she stopped being such a muggle about it and said she was ready to try reading “Harry Potter” I was initially skeptical, but then quickly overcome with joy. Although a strong independent reader, she asked if I would read the series aloud to her. She was hooked from the first chapter and we are currently in the middle of the second book. This precious time we spend reading together cuddled on the couch, lying in the hammock, or snuggled up in bed are moments that I’ll hold in my heart for the rest of my life. Listening to a story is a magical thing.

On June 11, I attended the “Better Together” workshop held at Lakes Country Service Cooperative in Fergus Falls. This continuing education opportunity is held every summer and brings together public librarians and school media educators from around Minnesota to discuss library policies, procedures, best practices, and great books. This annual event is facilitated by Northern Lights Library Network (NLLN) which is a cooperative network of 280 members in academic, public, school, and special libraries in 23 Minnesota counties in our region.

Two of this year’s workshop sessions focused on the wonderful world of children’s literature and the joy of reading aloud. Minnesota author David LaRochelle and Minnesota illustrator Mike Wohnoutka presented several of their picture book and early reader collaborations. This award-winning, animated duo treated the audience to a read aloud of the hilarious and interactive books “Go and Get with Rex” and “Mr. Fox’s Game of No!”, complete with audience participation and costume props. There wasn’t a single adult in the room who wasn’t in stitches. It’s always a delight to see authors and illustrators in action when they have the amazing talent of bringing a book to life before your eyes. The ability to connect through stories, especially when humor is involved, is one of my favorite parts of being a librarian.

Louie Lauer, a library media specialist with the Fargo Public Schools, gave a presentation on his starred reviewed, latest and greatest picture books and middle grade fiction and nonfiction. Lauer is a book reviewer for the professional publication “School Library Journal” as well as the Comstock-Gág Committee Chair through Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM).

MSUM sponsors two read aloud book awards every year. The Comstock Read Aloud Book Award is for the best read aloud picture book for children ages 9 -12. It is named in honor of the Comstock family, influential pioneers of the city of Moorhead. The Wanda Gág Read Aloud Book Award is for the best read aloud picture book for younger children (up to age ). This award is named after Minnesota children’s book author and illustrator Wanda Gág (1893 – 1946) who was born and raised in New Ulm. She is best known for “Millions of Cats,” which is the oldest American picture book still in print. In fact, since it was published in 1928, it has never been out of print.

Some of the goals of this award are to promote reading and reading aloud as a lifelong activity, offer children ample opportunities to listen and respond to quality literature, and recognize authors and illustrators of outstanding picture books. Some of the criteria the award winners have to meet are that the book stretches a child’s imagination, uses a rich vocabulary, and shows respect for the individual child and the children of the world.

The Comstock Read Aloud Book Award Winner for 2025 is “Growing Up Under a Red Flag: A Memoir of Surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution” written by Ying Chang Compestine and illustrated by Xinmei Liu. The honor books are “Into the Goblin Market” written by Vikki VanSickle and illustrated by Jensine Eckwell and “The Dictionary Story” written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston.

The 2025 Wanda Gág Read Aloud Book Award winner is “Mr. Fox’s Game of “No!” written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. The honor books are “Mela” written by Maddalena Schiavo and illustrated by Eleonora Pace and “The Yellow Bus” written and illustrated by Loren Long.

All Comstock-Gág Read Aloud Book Award titles are available at the Fergus Falls Public Library or through the Viking Library System. I encourage everyone to check out this year’s winners, or the catalog of previous year winners, and read aloud to someone special in your life. Whether you are the reader or the listener, no matter what age you are, this experience is good for the soul.

Arielle McCune is the Youth Services Librarian at the Fergus Falls Public Library.